Following the Festival Launch event in Ballymena, the celebrations will continue with the Killycoogan Cookout at Killycoogan Independent Orange Hall, Portglenone. Organisers describe the evening as a relaxed and welcoming gathering designed to bring families, neighbours and visitors together.
“We wanted the first night to feel like a community homecoming,” another organiser explained. “The cookout is a chance for people to meet, reconnect and enjoy the atmosphere before the major events begin on the Fourth of July. It’s informal, friendly and very much in the spirit of the festival.”
The Lodge and Band’s Annual BBQ will be given an American twist with burgers and hotdogs served as the bands play. This is a real high point for Portglenone District and with funding from Mid and East Antrim Council there will be entertainment for children and a musical programme for all.
The term Cookout is what Americans call a bbq and is a great way to launch the festival into the heart off the community. It sets the stage for a packed programme that includes the Faith & Freedom Day in Ballymoney, the Liberty Ceremony, the Foundation Forum, the Ulster‑American Concert, the Eleventh Night Family Fun Night, and the Twelfth celebrations in Rasharkin and Ballymoney. Each event will explore the festival’s core themes, from the Reformed Protestant faith that shaped both Ulster and early America, to the constitutional freedoms inherited from the Glorious Revolution, to the foundational role of Ulster‑Scots emigrants in the building of the United States.
As the festival prepares
to open, organisers are encouraging the public to take part from the very beginning.
“This is a celebration for everyone,” the spokesperson said. “Whether you come for the history, the music, the faith, the family events or simply the sense of occasion, you will be part of something meaningful. The story we are telling is a shared one, and we want the whole community to feel included from day one.”
The Faith & Freedom 250 Festival runs from 3–13 July, with additional exhibitions and heritage initiatives continuing throughout the year. Further details will be available through local media and the festival’s online platforms.
